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Our Impacts

Community Empowerment

Empowering Communities Through Employment and Education.

In a remote region of Zimbabwe where opportunities are limited, Sango is working to create lasting, practical change. Central to this effort is a commitment to provide employment and learning opportunities to those living in the neighbouring communities.

Today, 84% of Sango’s workforce comes from the surrounding area, with a smaller number of staff traveling from cities like Bulawayo, Harare, Mutare, and Masvingo. This is no accident—it is part of Sango’s Operational Management Plan, which prioritises hiring locally to support economic stability in the region.

With over 170 people now employed at Sango, the conservancy offers more than just a salary. Staff are paid in U.S. dollars, helping shield them and their families from the effects of local currency devaluation. In a region where subsistence farming is often the only livelihood, such employment has a meaningful impact on household stability and long-term prospects.

At Sango Wildlife Conservancy, employment transcends financial compensation – it is a gateway to personal development and skill acquisition. Sango’s workforce is engaged in diverse roles across carpentry, mechanics, tailoring, agriculture, hospitality, and conservation, each contributing to the conservancy’s multifaceted operations. For instance, in the carpentry shop and workshop, workers build furniture and maintain vehicles. In the tailoring unit, staff make uniforms and garments. The vegetable garden provides both food and training in sustainable farming practices. In the kitchen and service areas, staff gain experience in food preparation, hygiene, and nutrition.

Others take on roles as rangers and anti-poaching experts—work that is essential to Sango’s conservation mission. These team members receive training in wildlife protection, conservation methods, and anti-poaching tactics, and in doing so, become both protectors of biodiversity and skilled professionals.

Key figures:

84% of Sango of staff

come from neighbouring communities

20 local participants

(including 15 women) trained in beekeeping in 2023–2024 through a partnership with ATS

This Project contributes to

To support this approach, the conservancy regularly offers training and education opportunities. Local job openings are communicated through the Sango Community Liaison Manager to ensure transparency and accessibility.

Beyond regular employment, Sango also supports community-led initiatives. In 2023 and 2024, in partnership with ATS, two training sessions were held for local community members—20 in total, including 15 women—to learn native beekeeping. These courses strengthen the capacity of participants to safely produce honey and beeswax products, contributing to both environmental stewardship and household income.

By offering work, skills, and support, Sango hopes to build a foundation that allows individuals and families to thrive—while showing, in practice, that biodiversity and economic wellbeing are deeply connected.

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